MUSCATINE, Iowa–As a rescue organization, It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources assists local law enforcement by caring for neglected or abused animals that they seize. Jan. 19, It Takes a Village assisted the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office with 28 dogs and a cat taken from a camper.
According to Meagan Koehler, founder of It Takes a Village, the rescue received a complaint about suspected animal neglect and shared it with the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies then obtained a warrant to search the property in question and, with help from It Takes a Village, collected the animals and brought them to the rescue. “We were so impressed with the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office,” she stated. “These men and women handled this troublesome situation with both compassion, efficiency, and expedience.”
Once the animals arrived at the rescue, a veterinarian saw them, giving them any care they needed and updating them on vaccines. It Takes a Village then quarantined them for 14 days to make sure they had no infectious diseases they could transfer to other animals at the rescue. From the time they came to the rescue and at least until legal proceedings end, It Takes a Village volunteers will work with the animals to meet their basic needs and to socialize them by petting and talking to them and getting the dogs used to walking on leashes.
Caring for so many rescued animals at once requires many supplies, particularly paper towels and dog training pads. To keep up with these needs, It Takes a Village always welcomes monetary donations or donations from their wish list posted on Facebook.
Once It Takes a Village can legally adopt out the animals, they will also need many foster families to help care for them. Koehler encourages anyone interested in fostering to contact her via Facebook message.
Though rescuing animals presents many challenges, Koehler felt proud that It Takes a Village could assist the Sheriff’s Office in helping so many animals. “We are saddened at the thought of it occurring so close to home, but we stand ready and willing to assist as the need arises in the future,” she said.
